Local councils of the future may undergo a process of ‘Californication’ as they respond to budget cuts, new analysis predicts. A report published today by localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) outlines three new models for town halls of the future as councillors navigate budget cuts in the coming decade. One scenario [...]

Friday 19th August 2011 Following the publication of today’s Treasury Select Committee report on PFI, Senior Researcher Tom Symons of localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) said: “This inquiry offers a damning critique of PFI but few recommendations for lasting change. It’s been clear for a number of years that PFI has [...]

NLGN Media Comment In response to today’s Government announcement confirming new Enterprise Zone locations, localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) Head of Research Paula Lucci said: “The unanswered question remains how Enterprise Zones will contribute to longer-term national growth rather than simply offering a short, sharp boost to specific areas” “We welcome [...]

Following today’s publication of the national public property map, Liam Scott-Smith, Head of External Affairs at the New Local Government Network (NLGN), said: “This map of council-owned assets is useful, but the next step needs to be to take a more panoramic look at assets held across the public sector, including in Whitehall, as this [...]

NLGN Media Comment Tuesday 2nd August 2011 Reacting to today’s CLG announcement on devolving responsibility on allocating council tax benefits, Simon Parker, Director of Localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN), said: “Just because the government cuts council tax benefit, doesn’t mean fewer poor and elderly people need it. Many councils are already [...]

A new White Paper from NLGN suggests that by following a model of bulk purchasing from energy providers recently launched in The Netherlands, councils can create significant savings for their residents.

In advance of the publication of the Public Services White Paper today, Simon Parker, Director of localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) said: “Ministers are right to encourage local government to push decisions down to communities – and many councils are already doing exactly that. But the drive for localism must also [...]

Reacting to the Select Committee report on audit reform, Simon Parker, Director of localism think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) said: “We’re pleased that the committee has recognized our call earlier this year for independent local audit bodies with members of the public heavily involved in monitoring council finances. This is by far [...]